Vandalism at Van Go Mobile Arts causes $10,000 in damage, police say

About $10,000 in vandalism was reported to Van Go Mobile Arts Inc., an arts-based social service agency that provides year-round after-school and summer job-training programs to high-needs and under-served youth.

About $10,000 in vandalism was reported at Van Go Mobile Arts Inc., an arts-based social service agency that provides year-round after-school and summer job-training programs to high-needs and under-served youth.

The vandalism occurred between 2 p.m. July 20 and 8 a.m. July 21, police said.

The gallery area of the organization's building, 715 N.J., was damaged, said Lynne Green, executive director.

"It's very upsetting when that happens," she said. "It's disrupted some things."

Nothing was stolen from the organization, but several items were damaged, Green said.

A police report indicates the vandal caused about $9,870 in damage at the organization, including damage to windows on the building, a window on a car at the facility, paintings, frames, other computer equipment and various artwork. Nineteen custom wood art benches are also in need of repair, the police report indicates.

The organization is transitioning into a new, secure building as part of a renovation project, she said. In the meantime, temporary security lighting has been installed.

"The organization has cleaned up and moved on," said Brad Chindamo, president of the board.

It's not the first time the local nonprofit arts agency has been hit. Lawrence police arrested a 16-year-old boy in March 2006 on suspicion of vandalizing the same building. The damage was estimated at $1,275, including a broken window, a damaged neon sign and damage to the windshield of a van. Police found the teenager in the area and took him to the juvenile detention center. A report said it didn't appear he had any connection to the agency.

The incident wasn't reported until today because the police report was not released until today, so the news hounds didn't hear about it until today. The reason "no one at the organization would show [the news people] the damage inside" is because it was cleaned up a week ago, so everyone there could move on and get past this incident--something that the news was apparently willing to publish, but not willing to respect. It was vandalism. Complete, violent destruction of property. Nothing was stolen, someone was just looking to destroy things. All but one of the lovely new benches unveiled on Friday the 18th were damaged in the vandalism--and that one escaped because the person who commissioned it took it home on the night of the unveiling. None of the benches were damaged beyond repair, thankfully, but what a slap in the face to the wonderful teenagers who spent weeks of their summer making these permanent artistic contributions to the community.